Spurs keen to stay in title hunt

Tottenham Hotspur are being considered as genuine title contenders after climbing to third in the table following a string of excellent results.

Critics have remarked that summer signings Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor, the latter on loan from Manchester City, have given the side a great lift.

To that, one must also add the unity in their squad and the sterling contribution of the likes of goalkeeper Brad Friedel, acquired on a free transfer in the close season, and winger Gareth Bale.

Tottenham, who have a game in hand over their direct rivals, are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches with their only defeats coming away to Manchester United 3-0 and at home to Manchester City 5-1.

This afternoon, Harry Redknapp’s Spurs host Bolton at White Hart Lane. The Wanderers are finding the going tough this season and are engaged in the relegation fight.

Adebayor is Tottenham’s leading scorer in the Premier League with seven goals. The Togo striker is closely followed by Dutch team-mate Rafael van der Vaart on six.

Redknapp, who is recovering well from minor heart surgery, claimed that he has no intention of bringing in new players during the January transfer window.

Manchester City were some-what lucky to gain a draw at Liverpool last weekend as the Reds threw everything at the unbeaten leaders in an attempt to take all points. Goalkeeper Joe Hart was City’s hero, capping a fine performance with a last-gasp save from Andy Carroll’s header.

This afternoon, the Citizens are expected to return to winning ways when they host Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium.

At Villa Park, Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their shock elimination in the League Cup to Crystal Palace when they meet Aston Villa.

Last weekend, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was left fuming after Newcastle scored their equaliser in a 1-1 draw from a very dubious penalty.

The point earned at Old Trafford kept Alan Pardew’s Magpies in the top four. The Toon share the best defensive record in the top flight – only 12 goals conceded – with Manchester City and Liverpool.

This weekend, Newcastle are up against another ‘elite’ side, Chelsea at home, after taking on Manchester City and United in their last two league outings.

The Blues returned to winning form with a 3-0 defeat of Wolves last weekend but in midweek, they were ousted from the League Cup after a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool have not lost in their last eight Premier League matches. The Reds’ excellent results against the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea highlight the team’s steady progress under Kenny Dalglish.

On Monday night, the Reds travel to London to face Fulham at Craven Cottage. This will be Liverpool’s fourth visit to the capital after a defeat to Tottenham and wins against Arsenal and Chelsea.

Fulham come into the match on the back of a credible 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

That result left Arsenal seventh in the standings, three points outside the top-four zone. This afternoon, the Gunners cross swords with Wigan at the DW Stadium as they look to extend their positive run of late which saw them win 11 of their last 14 league matches.

Wigan have moved off bottom place after their significant victory at Sunderland − their first in 11 Premier League encounters.

Everton entertain Stoke at Goodison Park tomorrow. Last weekend, the Toffees managed to complete back-to-back victories against Wolves (home) and Bolton (away).

At Molineux, Wolves take on Sunderland who have sacked manager Steve Bruce after their disappointing start to the season.

Another manager walking on a tightrope is Blackburn’s Steve Kean whose side have slipped to the bottom of the table with only seven points. This afternoon, the Rovers face Swansea at Ewood Park.

Fixtures and forecast

Premier League

Aston Villa-Man. United (18:30) - 2
Blackburn-Swansea1
Man. City-Norwich1
Newcastle-Chelsea (13:45) - X
QPR-West Brom - X
Tottenham-Bolton - 1
Wigan-Arsenal - 2

Tomorrow:

Everton-Stoke (16:00) - X
Wolves-Sunderland (17:00) - 1

Monday:

Fulham-Liverpool (21:00) - 2

Standings: Man. City 35 points; Man. United 30; Tottenham 28; Newcastle 26; Chelsea 25; Liverpool, Arsenal 23; Aston Villa, Everton, Norwich 16; QPR, Stoke 15; Swansea, West Brom 14; Fulham 12; Sunderland, Wolves 11; Bolton, Wigan 9; Blackburn 7.

FA Cup (second round)

Barnet-MK Dons - 2
Bradford-Wimbledon - X
Brentford-Wrexham - 1
Charlton-Carlisle - 1
Chelmsford-Macclesfield - 2
Colchester-Swindon - 1
Crawley Town-Redbridge - 1
Dagenham-Walsall - 2
Gateshead-Tamworth - 1
Leyton Orient-Gillingham - 1
Luton-Cheltenham - X
Salisbury-Grimsby - X
Sheffield United-Torquay - 1
Sheffield Wed.-Aldershot - 1
Shrewsbury-Rotherham - 1
Southend-Oldham - X
Stourbridge-Stevenage (15:00) - 2

Tomorrow:

AFC Totton-Bristol Rovers (13:30) - 2
Sutton United-Notts County (18:00) - 2

The Championship

Blackpool-Reading - 1
Brighton-Nott. Forest - 1
Bristol City-Middlesbrough (18:20) - X
Doncaster-Southampton - 2
Hull-Leicester - X
Ipswich-Watford - 1
Leeds-Millwall (13:30) - 1
Peterborough-Barnsley - 1
Portsmouth-Coventry - 1
West Ham-Burnley - 1
Cardiff-Birmingham (tomorrow13:30) - 1

Hot Four: Man. City, Tottenham, Ipswich, Portsmouth.